How Much Does the Bar Exam Cost?

The bar exam is a test issued by the government that every law student in the United States is required to take in order to legally practice law. After completing your law classes in college, the bar exam will be your last step in becoming a lawyer. The price, schedules, and specifics of this test are going to vary greatly depending on the state in which you live.

How much is it?

On average, the bar exam can cost as little as $500 to as much as $5,400 for the exam package itself. The costs are going to greatly vary since some students may have a long drive, need to stay at a hotel, purchase additional materials, get a tutor, etc.

In California, the general applicants will have to pay $590 to $650 for the examination fees alone. In New York, this fee is around $250 to $300.

Alabama

$475 – $1300

Alaska

$800 + fees

Arizona

$395

Arkansas

$325

California

$520 – $770

Colorado

$425 – $825

Connecticut

$450

Delaware

$500

Florida

$850 to $3,000

Georgia

$500

Hawaii

$300

Idaho

$500

Illinois

$4540

Indiana

$225 to $550

Iowa

$325

Kansas

$500 to $825

Kentucky

$625

Louisiana

$550

Maine

$700 to $900

Maryland

$200 to $250

Massachusetts

$850

Michigan

$600

Minnesota

$500

Mississippi

$625

Missouri

$400 to $1,300

Montana

$400

Nebraska

$550

Nevada

$500

New Hampshire

$400

New Jersey

$500 to $725

New Mexico

$400 to $800

New York

$250 + fees

North Carolina

$600 to $1,300

North Dakota

$150

Ohio

$330 to $1,000

Oklahoma

$300 to $1,000

Oregon

$500

Pennsylvania

$500 to $1,400

Rhode Island

$450 to $800

South Carolina

$400 to $750

South Dakota

$300

Tennessee

$300 to $900

Texas

$300 to $1,200

Utah

$425 to $625

Vermont

$255 to $600

Virginia

$175 to $350

Washington

$450 to $750

West Virginia

$375 to $1,000

Wisconsin

$450 to $900

Wyoming

$200

What are the extra costs?

Most colleges and exam centers are going to charge an application fee. This application fee will usually fall between $25 and $75 and is basically unavoidable; you will have to pay it to get accepted into the testing center.

Notary and postage fees will be necessary in order to send out your results, as well as to ensure that they are legitimate. This will be an additional $20 to $50.

Course material as well as study guides and more will be necessary in order to ensure that you are prepared for the exam. While college will teach you a fair majority of these materials, the study guides will focus more on the examination process.

Since most exam centers will not be located near your home, travel expenses are going to be additional. Hotels, gas, and food will all have to be within your budget if the center is more than 80-100 miles away.

What is going to be included?

After an application is submitted, the exam center will give you all the necessary information on where you can take your bar exam. Once the exam is taken, it is sent off to a board of advisers who will critique and grade your exam. Keep in mind that each state will vary on their examination process.

How can I save money?

Consider purchasing used study materials online since newer textbooks are usually going to cost around 40-50% more.

Try and find the closest examination center near you so that you can save on unnecessary travel expenses such as the hotel, car, and more.

Do your best to pass the test the first time so that you will not have to pay for it more than once.